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Realtors Using Drones To Sell Homes?

By
Real Estate Agent with The Masiello Group Referral Associates, Inc. BA918995

 Are realtor is using drones to sell homes, not if the FAA has anything to say about it. Realtors are licensed professionals with complete background checks to handle some of the largest financial transactions a person will make in their lifetime.

 

In my opinion all real estate agents should be able to get a simple add on license, with another one of our continuing education programs with the basic three hour class. The thing that bothers me is that anybody can just go in by one of these aerial photography drones, and start taking videos and still photos for personal use with no training.

We Are Licensed Professionals

Holding back the opportunity for realtors to sell homes is in my opinion a complete failure in the eyes of the regulatory committee or the FAA. Real estate agents and Realtors all over the country need to have whatever tools available so they can sell homes, let's face it our housing market is the engine in our economy and it creates more jobs for eveyone.

 

The reality is when people buy homes, people buy furniture, people buy appliances, people do home improvements and everything else because home sales touches every fabric of our economy. A flying video camera that takes Ariel Videos should not be considered a violation from a licensed real estate professional, in my opinion (We are selling homes and simulating the economy).

 Housing Is The American Economic Engine

 I totally understand about national security and protecting our airspace for all of our aircraft, but we're talking about possibly 75' or 100' feet above the home to get aerial footage.

 

Real estate agents go through a very rigorous training program, they are monitored by DB's or designated broker's. So we are being monitored with our transactions for the first 90 days, and then we still have to have continuing education to keep our licenses. They have required us to buy our own errors and omissions insurance, and we may need to pick up a small liability policy that will cover using a flying camera or drone.

Using Aerial Videos For Your Listings

Most of these flying cameras only weigh between 2 and 4 pounds, and have built-in GPS so when you let go of the controls it stays in one place. Plus they have built-in auto home feature which auto lands the drone beside youif you lose radio contact for any reason.

 

Real estate agents take an aerial photos of property to use in the listings, and taken beautiful video from above the home on lakefront or oceanfront property is a fantastic way of showing somebody a brand-new way of shopping for a home.

 FAA Has A Ban For Commercial Use?

I also have included a link where I bought my real estate drone, I'm not using it until I find out from the FAA that I can take aerial footage or photos.

 

However, I am practicing on how to use the drone to go around my own personal residence, and get familiar with controlling this fantastic new tool, and Yes, in a few hours you can easily take your own aerial footage for your listings...BUT, Wait for the FAA Approval First - I did read that the "Federal Aviation Administration has invited the National Association of Realtors to participate adding information for the new law development".



Posted by

David Deschaine

The Masiello Group Referral Associates, Inc.

341 Main Street  Gorham, 04038

Cell: 207-329-8699

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Tammy Adams ~ Realtor / Podcaster
Maricopa Real Estate Co - Maricopa, AZ
A Maricopa Agent who Works, Lives & Loves Maricopa

You build an interesting case for their use. I have only read a little on these but can see the value for sure. 

Oct 05, 2014 02:24 PM
Mike Warren
Real Estate - Colorado Springs, CO

Interesting article David.

Oct 05, 2014 05:13 PM
Sandy Padula & Norm Padula, JD, GRI
HomeSmart Realty West & Florida Realty Investments - , CA
Presence, Persistence & Perseverance

David, There is not a doubt that the need is there; but who are these videos really made for? The buyer? The seller? Or for the agent to use the tool of aerial photography to capture more listings? Either way, it should be seriously reviewed by the FAA. I would like to use one, and up until now;, for large projects, I have to rely on hiring a helicopter. Very expensive!

Oct 06, 2014 01:12 AM
David Deschaine
The Masiello Group Referral Associates, Inc. - South Portland, ME

Hi Sandy and Norm, These drones can be used for creating video tours looking at the home from the outside and the surrounding area. Plus use can use this along the coastline to get video or still shots that would otherwise be very exspensive... Again, the are still NOT approved by the FAA so we must wait for the approval or licensing requirements.

Oct 06, 2014 02:44 AM